Star Wars IS art

In the Hoth seat. I've been asked to assist with lesson plans for a primary school in Essex! Star Wars is this term's theme from which lessons - traversing literacy, maths, music, art and drama - will be derived.

In view of my lifelong passion for art and Star Wars. This June I'll be undertaking an art of Star Wars class and have contacted various Lucasfilm artists for firsthand insights to share with the students.

Matt Busch (You Can Draw Star Wars) kindly shared the following anecdote:

"Star Wars IS art. In every sense of the word. As a kid, Star Wars really changed my life, and I attribute that to the world of Star Wars being this multi-faceted art project. Art has many facets beyond just drawing and paint. Music, books, movies are art-forms like anything else, and Star Wars seems to conquer all of them at the same time.

"When you watch one of the films and get a dose of the Star Wars experience, you're enjoying not just an artistic film, but an incredibly creative story, well-designed characters and environments that are out-of-this-world, all set to one of the most iconic music soundtracks every recorded. So I'll say it again. Star Wars IS art."

Social media can play an integral part in the success of a project such as this! Within minutes tweets can be replied to (or ignored) and connections made that have a profound effect on the outcome.

Currently, I'm sourcing LEGO Star Wars donations, which will be used at the primary school on an ongoing basis and have reached out to LEGO, itself, for help.

Going forward. I'll be corresponding with local media outlets in the hope that they will be interested in covering this story, and updating this blog with further developments.

Drawing the way of the Force

Star Wars Celebration Europe maybe over. However, Dorling Kindersley (DK) and myself are offering four lucky readers a chance to win exclusive signed copies of "Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections" poster prints, signed by artist Hans Jensen, and You Can Draw "Star Wars" book, signed by the author Bonnie Burton and artists Tom Hodges and Matt Busch.



Every fan's dream - step inside over 100 Star Wars vehicles. Open up the cockpit and peel back layers to reveal the weapon systems and construction secrets of over 100 Star Wars vehicles. Four fold-out pages take you right inside a Droid Control Ship, the Death Star, an Invisible Hand and a Republic Gunship in incredible detail. Discover everything you ever wanted to know about every key Star Wars machine from the "Phantom Menace", through to "Return of the Jedi". See inside the elegant Naboo starfighters and relentless TIE bombers and explore their background stories, history and even technical data. All revved up and ready to explore the universe?

Feel the force of the pencil, get creative and bring "Star Wars" to life on the page. Follow the expert tips, tracings, fold out pages and stencils and draw body shapes which pack a punch (or a lightsabre), inspiring action poses, spectacular vehicles, out-of-this-world clothes and futuristic equipment. Put R2-D2, Luke SkyWalker and Darth Vader on the same page and create scenes and battles from your own imagination - if you dare!

To enter for a chance of winning one of these coveted prizes signed by the author and artists, please leave a comment. Good luck. Special thanks to DK for supplying the competition prizes.

Explore the Star Wars galaxy through DK books.

About DK books
Since 1974, Dorling Kindersley has published an extensive range of internationally acclaimed titles in 51 languages for adults and children. As the UK's market leader in illustrated non-fiction, we pride ourselves on creating books that combine comprehensive information and superb design.

Over the years, as the world's leading family illustrated publisher, we have inspired and informed readers who find DK books to be educational, distinctive and of consistently high quality. We value this reputation and will continue to create reference titles that are, without question, exceptional.